Amazon Pay launches ‘Smart Stores’ in India

Smart Stores on Amazon app are basically a digital storefront of local shops from which users can purchase and make payments via the Amazon Pay app.

Thousands of local shops have signed up for Amazon's Smart Stores. (Amazon)

Amazon Pay has launched ‘Smart Stores' in India that lets users explore products available in local shops within the Amazon app.

Smart Stores basically creates a digital storefront that users can explore on their phone itself. Smart Stores are available on the Amazon app and payments can be done via Amazon Pay. Other than checking out products, customers can also read reviews and offers while in the store or anywhere else on the Amazon app.

Amazon Pay options include using the account balance, UPI, credit or debit cards. Customers can even make EMI transactions in Smart Stores. There will be rewards and offers as well from respective banks that customers can avail on products. A digital bill will be sent to the user once the purchase is complete.

“Amazon Pay is already accepted at millions of local shops, we are trying to make customers' buying experience at local shops even more convenient and safe through Smart Stores. Further, through EMIs, bank offers and rewards, we seek to make these purchases more affordable and rewarding for customers, and help increase sales for merchants.” said Mahendra Nerurkar, CEO, Amazon Pay.

Local shops can also choose to offer Amazon Pay reward coupons which the company says will help attract new customers. Amazon said it has already signed up thousands of local shops for its Smart Stores. Some of these include Sri Balaji Kitchens-Vishakapatnam, USHA Company Store-Jabalpur and outlets of brands such as Big Bazaar, MedPlus and More Supermarkets.